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Mariya Gabriel

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Mariya Gabriel
NameMariya Gabriel
CaptionGabriel in 2019
OfficeDeputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria
Term start6 June 2023
PrimeministerNikolay Denkov, Dimitar Glavchev (acting)
Office1European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
Term start11 December 2019
Term end115 May 2023
President1Ursula von der Leyen
Predecessor1Tibor Navracsics (Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth)
Successor1Iliana Ivanova
Office2European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society
Term start21 July 2017
Term end230 November 2019
President2Jean-Claude Juncker
Predecessor2Günther Oettinger
Successor2Thierry Breton (Internal Market)
Birth date20 May 1979
Birth placeGotse Delchev, People's Republic of Bulgaria
NationalityBulgarian
PartyGERB
Alma materUniversity of National and World Economy, Institute of Political Studies, Bordeaux

Mariya Gabriel is a prominent Bulgarian politician who has held significant roles within both the Government of Bulgaria and the European Commission. She first gained international prominence as the European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society under President Jean-Claude Juncker, later serving as European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth in the von der Leyen Commission. In 2023, she entered national politics, becoming Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria and leading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her career is marked by a strong focus on digital transformation, research and development, and advancing European Union policies in the Western Balkans.

Early life and education

Mariya Gabriel was born in Gotse Delchev, then part of the People's Republic of Bulgaria. She pursued higher education in Sofia, graduating with a degree in Bulgarian and French from the University of National and World Economy. Her academic path continued in France, where she earned a master's degree in political science and international relations from the prestigious Institute of Political Studies, Bordeaux. This Franco-Bulgarian educational background provided a strong foundation for her future work in European Union institutions and international diplomacy.

Political career

Gabriel's political career began within the structures of the European People's Party (EPP). She was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Bulgaria in 2009, representing the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party. During her tenure in the European Parliament, she served as Vice-President of the European People's Party and was actively involved in committees related to foreign affairs and gender equality. Her work in Strasbourg and Brussels established her as a key figure in center-right European politics and paved the way for her appointment to the European Commission.

European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

Appointed by President Ursula von der Leyen, Gabriel served as Commissioner from 2019 to 2023. In this role, she oversaw the implementation of the flagship Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, with a budget exceeding €95 billion. She championed the creation of the European Education Area and the European Research Area, aiming to strengthen mobility and collaboration across the continent. Her portfolio also included managing the Creative Europe programme and she played a significant role in launching the New European Bauhaus initiative, linking sustainability with culture and design.

European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society

Gabriel's first Commission role was as the Commissioner for the Digital Single Market, appointed following the resignation of Kristalina Georgieva. Her mandate focused on key legislative files such as the Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. She spearheaded efforts to combat disinformation online and promoted initiatives to close the digital skills gap across the European Union. Her tenure was crucial in advancing the EU's digital strategy ahead of the digital transition shaped by the subsequent Breton and Vestager commissions.

Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria

In June 2023, Gabriel entered the Bulgarian National Assembly and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the coalition government led by Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov. Her appointment was part of a power-sharing agreement between the We Continue the Change party and GERB. In this role, she has focused on strengthening Bulgaria's role within NATO, advocating for the European integration of the Western Balkans, and managing complex diplomatic relations with neighbors like the Republic of North Macedonia and Turkey.

Personal life

Mariya Gabriel is married to François Gabriel, a French businessman. She is fluent in Bulgarian, French, English, and Greek. Her commitment to public service has been recognized with several awards, including being named a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum. Outside of politics, she has expressed a strong interest in supporting cultural projects and entrepreneurship, particularly for young people and women across Europe.

Category:Bulgarian politicians Category:European Commissioners Category:Members of the European Parliament for Bulgaria Category:1979 births Category:Living people